Video of the Week: AI Language Models & AAC

April 26, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AI Language Models & AAC

Curious about the role that artificial intelligence (AI) can play in AAC? In today’s featured video, we learn about a Google Research project on this topic conducted by Stephanie Valencia, Richard Cave, Krystal Kallarackal, Katie Seaver, Michael Terry, and Shaun Kane. This session was part of the Association for Computing Machinery Computer-Human Interaction (ACM CHI) Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems   Many thanks to the presenter, Stephanie Valencia, and ACM CHI for this intriguing session. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbbU68156K0&ab_channel=ACMSIGCHI

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Video of the Week: AAC for Students with Visual Challenges

April 19, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AAC for Students with Visual Challenges

How can we support students with AAC needs who also have visual impairments? Today, we feature a recorded session on this topic from the 2023 Wisconsin Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (WCBVI) Preschool and Elementary Conference. In this presentation, AAC SLP Jennifer Schubring, of Building AAC, provides important information and many helpful resources. Many thanks to Jennifer and WCBVI for making this archived session available.  Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72EVkUvzdKg&ab_channel=WCBVIVIDEOS 

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Video of the Week: Mindset Shifts that Empower Communication Partners & AAC Users

March 29, 2023 by - 1 Comment


Video of the Week: Mindset Shifts that Empower Communication Partners & AAC Users

Experience is a wonderful teacher that inspires us to grow and evolve. In today’s video, we feature AAC and AT specialist Lauren Enders Gonzales, who shares some important lessons about our mindsets that either inhibit or support AAC learning. You can access the slide handouts for this presentation here. Many thanks to Lauren for sharing this recording of her session at the Inclusive Classroom Conference with us. Enjoy!  Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIsWwj_9ySc&ab_channel=LaurenS.%28Enders%29Gonzales%2CM.A.%2CCCC-SLP You can learn more from Lauren here.

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Video of the Week: Helping Parents Model AAC at Home

March 8, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Helping Parents Model AAC at Home

Looking for ways to support families who are strengthening their AAC practices? There’s no one better than Jill Senner and Matt Baud to guide us with research-supported strategies and prAACtical tips. Thank you to Jill, Matt, and the Oregon Technology Access Program ECHO Voices for this informative presentation. You can obtain the handouts for the session here.  Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGK0JzjInOg&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI 

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Video of the Week: AT Resources for Writing

February 22, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: AT Resources for Writing 

Many AAC learners benefit from assistive technology for things beyond communication. Today, we turn to the Pacer Center’s Simon Technology Center and hear about ways to support the writing process from the director Paul Sanft. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7Zq0IX8zW0&t=90s&ab_channel=SimonTechnologyCenter    Many thanks to Paul and the Simon Technology Center for these great suggestions.

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Video of the Week: The Role of Voices in AAC

February 15, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: The Role of Voices in AAC

In recent years, SGDs and AAC apps have had a wider range of voices available, offering greater variety relative to age, gender, regional accents, and more. In today’s featured video, we hear about this from Becky Martin of Smartbox Technology and Alice Smith of SpeakUnique.  Many thanks to the presenters and Smartbox Assistive Technology for this informative presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-IGwok9E5c&ab_channel=SmartboxAssistiveTechnology

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Video of the Week: Supporting Young AAC Users in the Classroom

February 8, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Supporting Young AAC Users in the Classroom

Let’s strengthen our classroom-based support for students who use AAC. In today’s featured video, SLP and AAC specialist Carolyn Parker discusses the benefits of pushing into the classroom and offers practical suggestions for implementation and data collection. You can view the handouts for this session here.  This is an archived presentation hosted by ECHO Voices of the Oregon Technology Access Program (OTAP). We are grateful to OTAP and Carolyn for this helpful information. Direct link to video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jB02S975vM&ab_channel=OTAP-RSOI 

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Video of the Week: Challenging False Beliefs About AAC Use

February 1, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Challenging False Beliefs About AAC Use

Learn about AAC myths and strategies to combat them in this archived webinar by Drs. Maryann Romski and Rose Sevick.  We are grateful to the presenters and to USSAAC and ISAAC for this important presentation. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMmsC4nHlKA&ab_channel=InternationalSocietyforAugmentativeandAlternativeCommunication%28ISAAC%29 

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Video of the Week: Baking with AAC

January 25, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Baking with AAC

Learning to integrate AAC into typical daily routines takes time and a little support. In today’s featured video, provided by PRC Saltillo, Heather Prenovost and Beth Waite-Lafever lead us through preparing some yummy cupcakes with a touch of AAC. Enjoy! Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AxZYnN8El0&list=PL-7d4kfMclvg1UwdKNR8fxVtaj-oURh6G&index=33&ab_channel=PRC-SaltilloAACApps  Resources mentioned in the video include a Stepping Stones to AAC Organization Tool and Reference Sheet.  You can download the manual communication boards below. WordPower 96 location Board Unity 84 Sequenced Board LAMP Words for Life Board Many thanks to Beth, Heather, and PRC Saltillo for making and sharing this fun video.

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Video of the Week: Reducing Device Abandonment

January 18, 2023 by - Leave your thoughts


Video of the Week: Reducing Device Abandonment

What are the factors that cause people with complex communication needs to discontinue using speech-generating devices and how can we address those? A panel of AAC specialists was convened by Control Bionics to share thoughts on this issue. Check out this conversation with Vicki Clarke, Carol Page, Sue Redepenning, Shari Willingham, Jill Adlin, and Lane Rials for a fresh perspective. Many thanks to Control Bionics and the panelists for making this video available to the AAC community. Direct Link to Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU54-73u2UM&ab_channel=ControlBionics

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